Food and Beverage Classification System for Schools Getting the Thumbs-up

24/07/2007 | Food and beverage classification system launched by Government

Last week the government launched a Food and Beverage Classification System to encourage students to make healthy food choices early in life and it is being received well by schools in the MidCentral District.

The Food and Beverage Classification System is a way of classifying foods and beverages that are recommended for sale or provision at schools and Early Childhood Education (ECE) services. The system has been designed specifically for foods and beverages children commonly consume in the education setting.

MidCentral District Health Board has invited all schools and early childhood centres in the district to workshops as part of the Mission On campaign, where they will be introduced to the new national nutritional guidelines.

MidCentral DHB Healthy Eating, Health Action project manager, Bronwyn Ferry says the schools that have participated in the workshops so far have been very enthusiastic.

“The schools have found the workshops beneficial and that a lot of work they have been doing already is along the right track. The new food and beverage guidelines are an easy tool to support education providers as they make further changes to menus, canteens and lunches, she says.”
All schools and ECEs in the MidCentral district will have copies of the guidelines by the end of July.

Mrs Ferry also says she is excited that the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health are working together to support education providers to improve their nutritional environments.

“A lot of work has been done locally with Health Promoting Schools, Fruit in Schools, the Heart Foundation’s ‘School Food Programme’ and Healthy Heart Award. These latest resources and workshops can only benefit the young people in our communities and their families.”

St Peter’s College assistant principal, Sue Johnson says the school has been making food and beverage improvements over the last year but is really positive about the government’s new classification system.

“It is giving us impetus to do something more now,” says Mrs Johnson.